Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 4th of July. ~~ I had planned to walk in the Waxhaw parade beside the JAARS float. But it is just too hot (for this old lady). I laid out my patriotic wardrobe last night but changed my mind this morning.  It will get up to at least 96 degrees today and humidity is already high. ~~ It seems like the “sensible thing” (health-wise) to not walk on hot pavement in this heat. I’m staying home… and working on my “independence” as I continue to free myself from an excessive amount of personal possessions. (“Downsizing”!!)

Postscript, 3:30 PM: Ninety-four degrees!!

Postscript, 5:00 PM: “Heat index over 100 degrees!” per evening news weatherman.

Remember that old saying “How do you eat an elephant?”  The answer: “One bite at a time.”  That’s what I’m doing with “downsizing”: One box at a time!!  But occasionally I encounter something I don’t want to undertake.  I started a “new” location with “do it later” stuff.  ~~  While I did a Google search for elephant clip art, I found this cute poem.

You can eat an elephant.

Oh,yes you can it’s true.

They may be huge but not to worry,

they aren’t to big for you.

“Just how can I eat such a thing

that’s so immense in size?”

“Just look at it in pieces

and make them all bite size.”

You see to look from head to tail

can be a daunting task.

Many would just give up now

and let the elephant pass.

Look at it as if you can

eat it piece by piece,

It may take you a while,

but your goal you will reach.

So, next time you have a task

that is difficult to do,

Remember, you can eat an elephant

so take a piece and chew!

“Independence”!! ~~  If possible, I’ll no longer use the living room for sorting and storage.  It feels so good to have the living room and hall free of boxes and clutter!!

Keeping busy–despite the heat.  It is “only” 91 degrees as I write this at 6 o’clock.   Temperature dropped because a major thunderstorm–with hail–is moving toward us from Northwest North Carolina. ~~  I started a load of laundry at 7:30 AM and was finished by 9 o’clock (before the heat escalated).  Then, small projects in the apartment throughout the day.  I took kitchen things down from above the cabinets.  I have a potential buyer for the Cuisinart Food Processor and Pyrex food preparation bowls.  I used both for demonstrations when I was active as a Health Minister for Hallelujah Acres.  That seems to be a closed chapter of my life.  The nutritionist associated with my chiropractor’s office expressed interest… and I’ll take them to her tomorrow morning. The chiropractor will take the one-dozen-plus boxes of health and nutrition books. (Last picture: Cuisinart and Pyrex in new hands. What should I do with the earlier, rejected donation?)

I’m suffering in an air-conditioned apartment.  My thoughts, and prayers, are focused on the fire fighters in Colorado (and other areas).  How unbearable it must be!!  And in various parts of the country, for various reasons,  people are without any electricity for air-conditioning.  Think of the food that will spoil in refrigerators and freezers.  So many scenarios to think about.  It is 104 degrees as I write this at 2 o’clock.  ~~  I put “two-cup-size” blocks of ice at the top of my Topsy-Turvy upside-down tomato planters.  I read that “tip” somewhere recently so I keep ice in the freezer just for times of excessive heat.  (It works well when I’m going to work and want to keep the tomato plants “watered” during the afternoon.)  ~~  I had “for sale” and “donation” items to load into the car.  The heat was (is) intense!!  Yesterday’s 104 (or 105 depending on where we are) broke all records for the Charlotte area.  A neighbor said the official temperature for Waxhaw was 105 degrees.  The heat will lessen to about 96 degrees on Wednesday.  I’m questioning whether I want to walk in the Waxhaw 4th of July Parade–with the JAARS float.  That decision will wait until Wednesday morning.

Still 104 degrees at 3:20 but feels like 109 or 110. It is like a sauna!!

This morning, I saw Papa Bluebird back at the mealworm feeder.  That is encouraging!!  ~~  Sometimes I don’t know why I do what I do.  I checked another Bluebird house at the edge of my yard.  “Yes,” they were building a nest there.  BUT mean old lady cleaned out the beginning of a nest AND she hopes, and prays, they will return to their original home.  Why am I discouraging them?  This bird house has a “door” that is held in place with a screw.  It would be impossible for me to “peek” into the nest.  I was totally ignorant of information regarding Bluebirds when I purchased that Bluebird house.  I’ve learned a lot via books and Internet.  Furthermore, I can’t see this bird house from my living room.  This is a gamble.  Will the Bluebirds return to their original home? ~~ My first bird house purchase was expensive: Over $35.00!! But, unbeknown to me, American-made, recycled plastic, virtually indestructible does not attract birds. I’ve learned they want a house “that breathes”–a house made of wood.

Postscript, same day, 12:30 PM: They’re back!!  Mama and Papa Bluebird are very busy carrying pine needles to build a new nest in their previous house.  Hallelujah!! ~~  Hopefully I’ll have picture confirmation soon. ~~ Postscript, same day, 8:00 PM: I’ve waited patiently, off-and-on all afternoon, for a picture of the Bluebird couple. They are coming and going so fast, I miss the photo opportunity!! But a female Cardinal was content to sit quietly.

Postscript, Sunday, July 1, 2012, 9:30 AM: Mama Blue is impossible to photograph because she is flying very fast to-and-from. Papa Blue is attentive!

Postscript, Monday, July 2, 2012, 8:00 PM: It appears the new nest is complete.  It looks identical to the nest I removed (and destroyed) on Friday.  God’s creation is so amazing!!  Consider for one moment Mama Blue feeding babies on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Babies leave the nest on Thursday or Friday.  Mama & Papa start building a new nest on Friday or Saturday.  New nest is complete on Monday.  I’ll keep watching for new eggs.  (You haven’t heard the last of this story.)

Actually, a July 3rd postscript to follow blog message A Gamble.  A friend sent this link to an excellent video.  I’m envious; I wish I had similar pictures of my Bluebird family.  Should I purchase a little camera and install in the Bluebird house??  They exist, you know.  Many months ago, I saw the entire setup at Wild Bird Center but would not / could not justify over $150. expense.  I love my Bluebirds!!  However, “thrifty Lorraine” opted for limited views of the Mama and babies.  Well, my views were so limited I didn’t get a picture of the babies!!  Here’s a thought: See if the Bluebirds continue to visit the mealworm feeder in months to follow; see if they “hang around” this winter.  Perhaps I could count on them to build nests again next year and the purchase of a spy camera would have a tiny bit of merit.  Agree??

Searching the Internet for a spy camera (that might be less expensive than a specialty retail store) I found this website where a camera is in a Bluebird house.  Sadly (for me) the babies had fledged so no activity to watch.  I’ll be checking this website frequently.  A substitute for the expensive purchase. (Too bad we have to listen to a commercial advertisement!!)

I’ve spent so-o-o-o-o much time preparing donations. I “thought” I had a one o’clock appointment to deliver several boxes to the JAARS Day Care Center–but no answer when I arrived and rang the bell. So-o-o-o-o this is not a happy day. (Bluebirds are gone!) It is 100 degrees as I publish this at 1:15 PM. We are expected to experience several days of “over 100 degrees.” ~~ In the air-conditioned apartment, this afternoon, I’ll continue working on “downsizing.” ~~  FYI: I requested fewer hours at work so I could concentrate on downsizing. Now I have Monday and Friday off. ~~~~~~ Postscript: One-hundred-four degrees at five o’clock!!! This ties the record for the hottest day in Charlotte recorded history. “Feels like 109” per the weather forecaster.

Bluebird babies are gone!!  I didn’t even get a good picture of them!!  I checked the nest a few minutes ago and sensed there were no birds in the nest.  I hadn’t done this before, I gently moved the nesting material for a better look.  So, according to all the information I’ve read, I removed the nest and will carry it to the trash.  (Remove… and discard… according to literature.)  Frequently, Mama Bluebird will start another nest the day the babies leave the nest.  So the box is ready for a new family!!  I’ll continue to put fresh mealworms in the little blue dish in hopes “my” Bluebird couple will return.

Do you have abandoned satellite dishes in your backyard?  I had two… from previous tenants in my apartment.  My apartment had been vacant for over two years!!  (Personally, I limit myself to “free” TV reception.)  I’ve planned this project for several months and finally bought the hardware a few days ago.  I “borrowed” the idea from a professionally built baffle that cost over $25.  I paid less than $5. for the hardware for the satellite-dish baffle.  ~~  I doubt that my inexpensive item will stop the squirrels but “the creative side of me” wanted to attempt “building a better mouse trap” (building a better squirrel baffle).  ~~  FYI:  Prior to drilling the hole, the battery for my drill had to charge overnight.  That explains my early morning project versus late afternoon, after work. 

Postscript, 7:00 PM: I was called to work mid-morning. Back home, after work (after 5), I swapped the baffles before filling the feeder.  Time will tell, this arrangement might keep the squirrels off the bird feeder.

Postscript, 6/29/12, 11:45 AM: Some women move the furniture around. I move bird feeders, bird houses, hanging flower baskets–and baffles.  I want things to “look nice” and I didn’t “like” the appearance of last night’s arrangement.

Postscript, 6/29/12, 7:45 PM: “No,” the new arrangement didn’t stop a squirrel.